23 Chicago Kids Nail Perfect ACT Scores—Here’s How They Did It
You know how people say getting a perfect ACT score is like winning the lottery? Well, guess what—23 students at Whitney Young Magnet High just hit the jackpot. And here’s the crazy part: that’s almost 5% of their junior class. Yeah, let that sink in for a second.
Not Your Average Report Card
Scoring a 36 on the ACT? That’s the stuff of legends. Nationally, we’re talking 1 in 1,000 kids pulling this off. But Whitney Young? They’ve got 23 of ’em. And honestly, I’m not even surprised—this school’s been crushing it for years. But this? This is next-level.
Why This School Keeps Winning
Whitney Young isn’t your run-of-the-mill high school. It’s the kind of place where Michelle Obama hung out before she became FLOTUS. The principal, Dr. Kenner, told me straight up: “These kids? They’re not just smart—they’re putting in the work.” And you can tell. The teachers there don’t just teach—they push. Like, really push.
The Secret Sauce
So how’d they do it? I talked to a couple of these whiz kids, and here’s the thing—there’s no magic trick. Just a ton of late nights, practice tests (so many practice tests), and teachers who actually care. One student put it perfectly: “Our teachers didn’t just give us answers—they made us think.” And parents? Totally in the mix too, driving kids to SAT prep classes and whatnot.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Perfect ACT scores aren’t just for bragging rights (though, come on—who wouldn’t brag?). These scores? They’re golden tickets. We’re talking Ivy League admissions, full-ride scholarships—the whole nine yards. And for Chicago? It’s proof that when schools actually invest in kids, crazy stuff happens.
The Celebration Was Lit
Picture this: whole school assembly, local news cameras everywhere, politicians giving speeches. One mom was crying happy tears—couldn’t even finish her sentence. And Twitter? Forget about it. #WhitneyYoung was trending for like two days straight.
Wanna Be Like Them? Here’s the Playbook
If you’re gunning for that perfect score, here’s what these kids swear by:
- Start early—like, yesterday early
- Practice until your hand cramps (then practice some more)
- Actually use your teachers—they know stuff
Oh, and sleep? Yeah, that’s important too. Who knew?
The Big Picture
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about 23 smart kids. It’s about what happens when you mix talent with actual support—teachers who give a damn, parents who show up, and a system that doesn’t just talk about excellence but makes it happen. Makes you wonder what other schools could do if they had the same recipe, right?
So what do you think—should we be throwing more resources at schools like this? Or is Whitney Young just a lucky exception? Hit me with your thoughts below.